Kalim’s Family

Kalim explains that “the Asims aren’t royalty, and I’m not a prince. I’ve got some relatives in the royal family, though.” Jamil says that the Asims are one of the Scalding Sands’ most prominent families. Both Jamil and Kalim were born and raised in Silk City.

Kalim’s father is referenced often: Kalim says he is “the most important guy in the family, and he keeps super-duper busy, but he’s always got a happy smile on his face.”

Jamil says that Kalim’s father is a key player in the local government and economy and their home is used for government functions, official visits and ceremonies (but Kalim’s father’s occupation is never specified).

Kalim says that his father does business in a lot of different places and used to take Kalim along with him. “All of his customers would leave the meetings with smiles on their faces. Seeing people looking happy has always made me happy, too.” His father also told him it is important to “work hard, play hard, and know when to do which”.

Jamil thanks the headmage for allowing them to use the Dark Mirror to travel home, and Crowley says that it is the least he could do for the Asims, asking Kalim to send his regards to his father. (“And, naturally, I will graciously accept whatever souvenirs you see fit to bring back.”)

Kalim says that after the festival showcased in the Firelit Sky event, his father will be hosting a party for all the people in their town who helped make the festival happen. According to Jamil, Kalim’s father spoils Kalim immensely.

Kalim says that his mother is “really, really sweet”, always saying nice things about him, barely ever gets mad and she is the family’s only other magic user besides himself. Kalim has somewhere from 30 to 40 siblings (information that was cut from the EN adaptation) and seems to adore them: Kalim reacts poorly to hearing that Idia skipped out on a promise to spend time with Ortho after performing poorly in a video game, saying that “spending quality time with your sibling is way more important than some game” and offering to hang out with Ortho in Idia’s stead.

Kalim says that he has “a real soft spot” for people younger than himself, and explains in his birthday vignette a time when he spent the better part of a day playing hide-and-seek with his little siblings but never did find them all. Kalim says, “When the whole family gets together, it’s always a party.”

Kalim’s family is described as “overprotective” by a ghost chef who learns that, prior to the Culinary Crucible, Kalim had never been allowed to use fire or knives as it was too dangerous. Kalim tells Ruggie that he had never cooked in his life, as his home has its own kitchen staff and Jamil has made his meals since he started living in a dorm.

We learn that Kalim’s family employs at least one “beast tamer”, that Kalim is constantly trailed by Asim family security and there are “only” around “a hundred helpers” employed at his home. Jamil explains that Scalding Sands spices and furnishings are extremely popular abroad and House Asim is said to be the first family to trade overseas.

Kalim’s family developed local rivers into a network of canals. Kalim says his family comes from a long line of merchants and he wants to do as much for Silk City as his grandfather and great-grandfather did.